Bristol High School - Green and White Yearbook (Bristol, RI)

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6 THE GREEN AND WHITE dens. Please, dear, say that I may go to town tomorrow and hire the carpenters. We will have no more ghosts in the house of Stanton.” “Ray, you made a mistake. We will have no more ghosts in the house of More’land.” R. M. MORRIS, ’22. -----o------ THE AMERICAN GIRL The American girl, what is she? What does that adjective imply? Some would define her as an immodest, forward creature, with short hair and shorter skirts. The American girl resents it, why shouldn’t she? One of our foremost writers says, “The flapper, or, in other words, the American girl, is not a disease, but a symptom of one. Their mothers and fathers, and yes, even their grand parents were symptoms of that disease. For there is no disease that has not more than one symptom.” But what is wrong with our girl of today? Nothing, she is clear good through and through. The American girl, as a rule, is a healthy, well-developed girl with high ideals. She is honest, brave, and capable of taking care of herself; but she is not forward and immodest, as she is often criticised, especially by older women, for as a rule the modern girl appeals to the men because of her ability. The American girl swims, golfs, rides, and plays tennis. She reads good books, she travels, she cooks, she sews, she hikes, she talks fluently on any subject of the day, she works, and she holds a position, whether in business or in politics, as well and often better than a man could do. Like all inventions, as years have passed, the American girl has been improved upon. The Pilgrim and Puritan women, who were the first American girls, were endowed with courage, bravery, and above all, patriotism. These virtues of the American girl have increased as they have descended through generation after generation. An example of the American girl’s worth is shown by what she did during the World War. She enlisted as quickly as the men. American girls flooded France, they drove ambulances, and did many other worthy things “over there.” Many were cited for bravery. Those who were unable to go did their share “over here.” A number of them went in and did a man’s work and often work that many men had failed on. Yet it is this same girl that is being talked about and is being written about today, because she claims the privilege to dress as she pleases. The American girl and her modern dress is “efficiency” in the truest sense of the word. She is no longer hampered by trailing skirts and long sleeves; she is no longer bothered with head aches because of her abundant hair. The flapper has simply trained herself to fit into the place made for her and there has never been a cleaner type of girl through all the ages. REGINA MORRIS, 22. -----o----- THE GROOMLESS WEDDING At last the wedding day arrived. All the preparations were completed, all the invitations were sent out, and the lovely wedding dress was all made. Everyone was talking about the wonderful event; for a big wedding was a wonderful event in Ashton, especially since the bride was Mandy Gray, an old maid. Everyone had given up all hopes for Mandy, and even she had become alarmed when she reached her thirties still unmarried. But after a great deal of thinking she conceived a plan which she quickly put into action. She had put an advertisement in three papers, which read as follows: Wanted—a husband. Must be under forty, preferably in his twenties, respectable looking, not too big an eater, and of good parentage. Apply or write to Miss Mandy Gray, 23 Willow street, Ashton, Maine. Two rather young men had presented themselves at Mandy’s house in answer to the advertisement; but they both had been refused. One was too short and limped slightly when he walked: the other was too fast—indeed, he had a scandalous name, having been married three times. If the truth were known, the men were thankful for the refusals after having seen Mandy. Prospects were beginning to look quite doubtful, when a letter came from a small town in Ohio, containing a picture of a young man. It was from a Mr. Brown and told how he had lost his money in a deal, and would come to visit her as soon as he earned some more. Mandy at once fell in love with the picture, and, being of quite comfortable means, sent him a sum large enough to pay his debts, buy him a car ticket, and purchase a wedding outfit. The wedding preparations were made immediately, and1 at last the fatal day arrived. The groom was, expected to come in the morning, and the ceremony was to be performed at two o’clbck in the village church. At one o’clock he had not arrived, and the bride was on pins and needles. At half past one a letter came, and with trembling fingers Mandy opened it and read the contents to her friends and this is what it said: My dear Miss Gray:—Thank you very much for the money; I needed it greatly. I had no intentions of marrying you since I already have a wife. By the time you

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THE GREEN AND WHITE 5 tiny golden-haired children. The wealthy Stantons had always been great favorites with the townspeople. But one day something happened. Bob Stanton’s young wife and their three-years old son were stricken with a fever that these Northern people had never before heard of. Four days later they were buried in the little cemetery and Bob Stanton found himself left with only his baby daughter, Priscilla. Bob Stanton had always loved to roam about the world at random. He had done little traveling since he had been married, but now Louise was gone—and he was alone, he must get away. He could not stand the house where he and Louise had been so happy with their two children. At every turn he saw her face. In the diningroom; in the garden; in the village; she was always there. Suddenly he made his decision and he immediately wrote to Cousin Jane in New Hampshire to come at once as he was leaving for Africa in two weeks. Cousin Jane came, Cousin Jane saw, but Cousin Jane did not conquer. Within two weeks Bob Stanton was aboard ship from New York to Africa, and Cousin Jane wras journeying northward with the motherless Priscilla. The Stanton house stood empty for the following twenty years, while the owner traveled from one unknown place to another. When Priscilla was fifteen, she joined her father in London and they traveled all over Europe and Asia for the following five years. But one day in France, Priscilla’s father was in an automobile accident. After two weeks of suffering he died and was buried in Paris. He had never returned to America since that sorrowful summer, twenty years ago. Now 'that Priscilla was left alone, she longed for America and home. The first of May found her back at the old Massachusetts town. The house was in a wretched condition. The gardens which had once beeni the pride of the country were now over-run with weed's; the white paint had peeled off in many places; the hinges on the doors and shutters were rusted; and the panes of glass in many of the windows were broken. Shortly after her return Priscilla received a typewritten letter from Morton Jackson, attornevs-a’t-law. Again fate was against her. Through an investment she had lost all of her money save a few hundred dollars. Aunt Jane, as Priscilla called her. had again answered Priscilla’s call and had come to Massachusetts to live with Bob’s daughter. In June, Ravmond Moreland, a young lawyer, appeared. He was alone in the world until he met Priscilla. Thev became firm friends and spent many hours together roaming through the woods or sailing on the bay. During her tew months in the old home Priscilla had frequently heard queer noises and flutterings, which seemed to come from the southwest chamber on the second floor. This room had been her mother’s. Priscilla openly scorned such foolish things as “ghosts.” But, sometimes—well, it was queer. The room in question had never been entered since that night twenty years ago. when her mother had died; and because of her dying of an unknown disease it worked upon the imaginations of the country people. One night early in July, Priscilla went to her room early. Ray Mooreland had gone to Boston two days before on a business trip to last a week. Priscilla was not sleepy and sat by the opened window. A number of times Priscilla arose and walked about the room. She fidgeted about. She began to realize that she was developing nerves. As she sat by the window a faint rattle reached her. It grew louder and louder1 as ft repeated itself. Prisciila gripped the arms of her chair and listened. The wind blew, but above it all she could hear the steady rattle. It was becoming very loud now, and Priscilla scrept softly to the room across the hall. As she stood by the door there came a loud crash. She screamed and someone gripped her from behind. It was Raymond, who had returned early. After he had calmed the trembling Priscilla he returned to the room and entered it. It was not long before she heard his ringing laugh and, creeping to the door of her mother’s room, she saw Ray seated on the side of the bed, laughing. The room was empty except for him. Suddenly he raised his eyes and saw her standing there and began to explain the ghost. “My dear,” he began, “the ghost has been laid, and here it is. You see for yourself that a number of the panes of glass are missing from this window. The wind is strong tonight and it has caused the shade to blow back and forth, and giving a hollow sound. That is the rattle you heard. Do you see that dress of your mother’s? Well, as you can see, wrhen the wind blows, it causes that dress hanging on the back of the chair to flutter back and forih. That is the ghost that Doc Winters saw that windy night last winter. Come to the window, Priscilla, and I will show you what caused the loud crash.” Below, on the piazza roof lav a blind which had fallen from its rustv hinges. The still trembling girl sobbed and Ray took her in his arms and murmured in her ear, “Never mind, Priscilla, dear, I have just come into a large sum of monev and together we will repair the house and gar-

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THE GREEN AND WHITE 7 get this letter I’ll be on my way to Europe. Again I thank you for your generous sum. I remain as ever, J. T. Brown.” NORMA MATHEWSON, '22 -----o------ “TO A BOOK REPORT” At stated times throughout the year They come to bring us woe; How to escape the book reports, We always long to know. The outlines always treacherous, Grow more so, year by year; That they will soon be fatal We very greatly fear. About a day before the date We to the iibrary flock; And when we glance along the shelves Oh, what a saddening shock; For some very brilliant students Have a month before the day Raided our well filled book shelves And borne the best away. Our eyes in vain, glance up and down, A volume slim to find; The ponderous ones now resting there Do not quite suit our mind. At last in haste a book we choose — But what’s the use of worrying; They say it’s best to smile. So we’ll be glad that Book Reports Are over for a while. RUTH SUZMAN. '22. -----o------ LET THERE BE PEACE It was a summer’s day in Belgium. The people moved around doing their daily occupation. As the cows were driven to pasture, some stopped here and there to get a mouthful of green grass with fresh dew upon it. The owner did not drive them on for he had the summer spirit, too. For that matter, everyone had it. Men and boys whistled at their work. With this spirit their work became play. In the distance there stood a great castle. Very wealthy people lived there. The parents taught their son, Alfred, to always try to maintain peace at any price. There was no need of maintaining peace at this time, for peace reigned over all the world. It seemed as though there could not be a war. Years later, however, there was war between France and Germany, and Belgium was invaded. Alfred, who promised to keep his mother’s plea of “peace at any price” at her deathbed, feared for a war. He fled to America with over a million dollars, and ordered an aeroplane hurriedly made. It was built according to Alfred's instructions, in the shape of an angel with outstretched arms, her hands holding a large sign, reading “Let there be peace,” which was illuminated by electric lights. Meanwhile Germany, who had her soldiers organized, took advantage of the weakness of Belgium, and attempted to pass through the country and on to France, with whom war had been declared. The great war demons in the three countries were now aroused. War was the order of the day. Little Belgium against big Germany, fought with all her strength. Soon Belgium retreated, for the German army outnumbered that of Belgium by twenty to one. As both armies fought viciously, there came from the sky7 an angel, bearing in its hands a sign. “Let there be peace.” The armies dropped their guns, and removing their hats, stood awed in the silence. “An angel sent from God,” they all muttered. “He is tired of war. Let us stop immediately and conciliate with our opponents.” Both armies moved toward each other, still with uncovered heads and without guns, and gave vent to their appreciation by thre lusty cheers as the “Angel of Peace, still hovering in the distance, went out of sight. DANA EISENBERG, ’23. -----o----- A LIFE OF DREAMS ON THE SEA OF HAPPINESS The sun was setting and it shone on the sapphire blue water, transforming parts of it to a blazing shade of red. All was peaceful along the ocean road except for the lonely sound of the waves, now and then splashing against the rocks. Poor Scott, poor, poor fellow, if he could only have seen that romantic sight, he would surely7 have had a knight on the rock of heart shape wooing his lady fair. Fortunately, my wish had come true, for there were two lovers on the rock referred to. They were taking an opportunity to enjoy this—.ves we might call it “Cupid’s Paradise 1” Was she a modern girl—a flapper? Ah! no, she was not that terrible type of person which is discussed so often in this wicked, disgraceful, modern generation, she seemed beautiful. Their heads were just showing above the rock. It was a pleasure to see that her hair was not abbreviated as is the case with most of these modern—no I believe it is unnecessary to mention what they are called, again. Her glorious golden curls were ruffled by7 the warm breeze and the sunset brought out all the fascinating glints of it. How the man admired her! He gazed into her deep blue ey7es and told her, from the bottom of his tender heart, how much he loved her. Life must have been wonderful for fhem; he just told her in the most